Golloway leaves OU for Auburn

Golloway leaves OU for Auburn

NORMAN, OK — In one of the quickest developing coaching moves in recent memory in Oklahoma, Sunny Golloway has left the University of Oklahoma to become the new head baseball coach at Auburn University.

Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs announced the hiring of Golloway on Friday night. Golloway leaves OU after nine seasons as the head coach.

Golloway traveled with his family to Auburn, Alabama, on Friday to meet with Auburn officials, who offered the job and Golloway took it.

Golloway told reporters in Auburn “I’m really excited about this opportunity because I’ve always held the Auburn baseball program in high regard. The history of the Auburn program was a huge factor in making this decision.”

SoonerScoop.com reported on Friday Golloway was not happy with the OU administration’s lack of commitment to upgrading L. Dale Mitchell Park, and Golloway contacted Auburn about their head coaching vacancy, rather than the other way around.

Sources indicate Golloway could make nearly twice as much in salary at Auburn, who fired their head coach John Pawlowski after the Tigers failed to make the NCAA Tournament this year, for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Golloway led OU to the Big 12 Tournament title this year, four super regional appearances and the College World Series in 2010.

Golloway will be formally introduced as the new Auburn head coach at a news conference Saturday morning.